I'm still in charge, vows Wilkinson

David Bond, Evening Standard

Howard Wilkinson today hinted that he has no plans to relinquish his role as manager of the England Under-21 side following the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Swedish coach, who started his £15 million, five-year contract with the Football Association this morning, has been brought in to transform the way English teams are run from the senior side downwards.

That includes a say in the Under-21 team, which is looked after by Wilkinson, the FA's director of football.

Earlier this week FA chief executive Adam Crozier said the two men would work alongside each other and that Eriksson would have a role to play in the selection and development of young England players.

It is part of Crozier's ambitious plan to emulate the success of the French system which encourages every team from juniors to seniors to play in the same formation and with the same style.

Crozier said: "Sven and Howard will be working alongside each other. All of it is under review but, given that we've got so many young players coming through, that is our opportunity to look at some of the talent. So obviously there has to be a lot of discussion and movement between those two teams."

But Wilkinson said: "Sven-Goran Eriksson has been appointed as manager of the senior England team.

"As far as I know nothing has changed with my role and I am still in charge of the Under-21s."

Eriksson was due to fly into London before an official unveiling at the FA's headquarters in Soho later this afternoon.

He will begin the countdown to the friendly against Spain at Villa Park next month by watching West Ham play Sunderland at Upton Park tomorrow.